The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-15
Another Bluff on the Investigation as
to the Benevolent Institutions.
A Vote in the House Relative to the Presi-
dents Veto of the Dependent Pension
Bill-Action on Minor Measures.

1t 10 to be expected that whenever the manage
ment of benevolent institutions is referred to as
sor ething capable of vast Improvement the |
Democrats will howl themselves hoarse in pro- |
testing innocence and proclaiming Republicans |
as partisan liars with all the force that inflated
lungs can give. They have begun system of
blufing that is In danger Of losing its own |
strength through preposterous assertions. wild |
charges and frantic defiance. At no time during |
the last campaign did their stump-speakers ca |
wort in desperate efforts to pild the reputation Of
the control Of the benevolent institutions as
Green Smith has done in the past few days. 1t
seems to be accepted by his party that among
the especial prerogatves of the Senator from
Jennings is that of dsfying the Republican party
protecting the trustees of the several nstitu-
tons from charges Of misgovernment and i'm
morality. On Friday last, after an hours abuse
of his political opponents, the following pream-
BILE and resolutions were adopted:
Whereas VIM. D. Foulke heading an alleged civil
service-reform committee, did, the Of the
paign Of $50, make certain charges against the
agement of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane and
Whereas. The people and tax-naysrs Of Indiana are
emit tiled to full and true investigation Of said
charges to the end that they may know whether the
founded truth made for partisan and
corrupt purposes and
Whereas. Certain Republican papers in this and
mitigating to tho world the result of said nvestiga
ton true and impartial reports therefore be it
pointed whose duty it shall be TO make an imm edate
investigation to the control and management of
the benevolent institutions of this State. That is to
say the Hospital for the Insane the Deaf and Dumb
Asylum the Blind Asylum, all of which benevolent
installations located in this city in the immed
vicinity. Said investigation shall especially be
conducted ascertain whether the inmates are sup
piled and fed with good and wholesome food.
whether or not there has been any cruelty negli
IN ha nfY xvhn fho s<opr
regulations of the best and most approved charac
ter and whether the management and control of said
Quoted in a.sprudent and humane manner. and said
committee shall have full power to inquire into and
on into By m or
for the purchase of provisions fuel other
eles for the and benefit of the inmates of said
benevolent institutions and shall have full power to
send for persons to appear before the said committee
as witnesses and for papers necessary to enable the
committee to make full and searching investigation
as to the management of said institutions and the
chairman of the committee Is hereby authorized to
administer the necessary oath or affirmation to wit
tee and report the result OF such examination to this
Senate And be it further
ton may be- thorough and complete, said
mittee is hereby empowered to employ sufficient
clerical and shorthand force to take down for preser
walton the evidence taken before said committee and
to further employ. If deemed necessary. sufficient
legal talent to direct and conduct the examination be-
knowledge of abuses invited appear before said
committee and that the Doorkeeper be instructed to
provide room for the meetings of the committee.
The Republican Senators observed in this the
direct purpose of whitewashng process, but to
help the Democrats in their alleged search for
truth, Senator Huston yesterday offered the fol-
;owing:
Whereas The Senate provided by resolution for an
investigation Of State benevolent institutions and
appointed the committee for such Investigations and
Whereas. The extent of said investigation is not
InE,o hx,e o1,xk.z ~l1 Aas
Resolved, That this committee be instructed to
make most searching inquiry regarding the business
and especially to inquire into and report as to the
moral character business capacity and special fitness
s IN &c sa to- nsa
their use in this investigation both attorney and
stenographer.
Senator Mcdonald wanted to know If the en-
ployment Of an attorney and stenoerapher was
not provided for in the original resolution, but
Senator Huston claimed the minority would
have no voice in the selection of either The
majority of the committee would arrange that
Senator Bailey, under this statement, became
restless, as II aspersions were cast upon the
Democratic party through the special commit
tees majority, OF which he is ons. He main
tanned that tSe committee would 60 after truth
wherever it could be found in regard to these
institutions This additional resolution as
sumed that the majority would employ on attor-
ney and stenographer for partisan purposes and
TO give party coloring to the report. Senator
Huston disclaimed any such intention. but he
reminded the Senate that the stenoerapher Of
Che committee on elections was under the con
troll of the majority. That stenographer could
render no service to the minority until severa
days after the majority report had been sub
mitted, discussed and acted on. Senator RAIN
did not think it necessary to have q lawyer
for either side, but Senator Sellers tool
the position that no cognizance OF partisanshil
should be taken relative to commirte.
which should and was supposed to act as q unit
He regarded. however, the resolution to be re
noction on the party majority composing tn
committee, and, therefore. moved TO lay it OF
the table Senator Trippett's view was that, a
There were twenty one lawyers in the Senate
the resolution reflected on them, but he did no
mention that the provisions in the original resc
luton to employ attorney could be so cor
BtrIed. Senator johnson considered 1t vast
Of time to have special committee appolnte
Tor this purpose The work could be done jus
- thoroughly, and perhaps more satisfactorily
Dy the standing committee on benevolent inst
tutions.
Up to this period cross-f!re was snappish, bu
not aggravating until Senator johnson supple
mented his belief that the result of the specia
Investigation would doubtless be two report:
Senator Trippett, with little more animatio
Than had characterized his previous participate
10 the skirmish for advantage, asked if the ger
ternan meant there would, in any event. be tw
reports. II am glad you asked that question
said Senator Johnson. 1.-THE Senator from Jacl
son and Jennings has distinctly stated on tn
floor that the object of the investigation was
indicate tho Democratic party This D,
senator Trippett forward in disclaiming tina
anything OF the kind had been said, an
Senator johnson is tenacious Of any idea
Has made aroused Senator Trippett and II